A.Word.A.Day --apocalypse

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Today's Word

apocalypse

PRONUNCIATION:

(uh-POK-uh-lips)

MEANING:

noun:
1. The destruction of the world.
2. Any widespread destruction or disaster.
3. A massive, decisive conflict.
4. A prophecy.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin apocalypsis (revelation), from Greek apokalypsis (revelation), from apo- (un-) + kalyptein (to cover). Earliest documented use: 1384.

NOTES:

The Book of Revelation is the last book of the New Testament. It’s also known as the Apocalypse and discusses prophecies, end times, the Second Coming, Judgment Day, etc.

USAGE:

[J.D. Vance] believed Trump to be a false messiah bound to break the hearts of his supporters. Nevertheless, the Trump phenomenon was an apocalypse in the strict sense of the word.”
Rod Dreher; Hillbilly Energy; American Conservative (Arlington, Virginia); Jan/Feb 2017.

See more usage examples of apocalypse in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

I have never thought much of the courage of a lion tamer. Inside the cage he is at least safe from other men. There is not much harm in a lion. He has no ideals, no religion, no politics, no chivalry, no gentility; in short, no reason for destroying anything that he does not want to eat. -George Bernard Shaw, writer, Nobel laureate (26 Jul 1856-1950)

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